THE LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINEMEN


 AND FIREMEN FRIENDLY SOCIETY


Established in 1839


The Pension Fund in connection with it was established in 1841




https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/TSS/P/1/1





THE RAILWAY HERALD

5TH FEBRUARY 1898

THE L.S.E. AND F. FRIENDLY SOCIETY



Sir, -- May I ask you to please insert in your valuable paper for the information of the members of the Steam Engineers and Firemen's Society my views as to the future course of the pension fund, the new rules passed at the last conference regulating the contributions to the pension fund, proposed by the King's Cross delegates, nit having been signed by a majority of the branches. We are at a standstill as to what shall be done to keep this fund which in the past has done so much good to its old and disabled members. I will, therefore, put before the members of this Society a plan for keeping it in a solvent state. I propose that a one day conference be called at Manchester at once to make two new rules, one for increasing the contributions at once, by 3s. per quarter, per member, the branch paying 6d. per quarter, per member, this would make 3s. 6d. per quarter per member to the pension fund, or 14s. per year. This increasing the pension members' contributions 8s. per quarter, or 32s. per year would at the present time about put us straight, as near as I can get to know as to the number of members in our Society, with the present expenditure of the Pension Fund. At the same time another rule authorising the general committee whenever expenditure over run the income to increase the contributions to the pension fund 1/2d. per week, per ordinary members' pension members' contribution to remain 32s. per year. This is the only course which can save the pension fund from ruin, and if adopted, it will save the expense of calling another conference, after the one I propose, to settle matters as to the financial condition of the pension fund, which has been so much trouble in the past, and will be in the future if it is not now settled. If this scheme is adopted I cannot see how we can get behind, and I sincerely hope that one and all will respond to this call for so noble an object as providing for the infirm. Look at the number of members who are now, in a great measure dependent upon the fund! I wish the Society every success, and anything I can do to further the objects, I will readily do in the future, as I have done in the past.


LUKE HIGGS

Secretary of Swindon Branch

3, College Street, New Swindon, Notts.

30th January, 1898





THE RAILWAY HERALD

21ST MAY 1898

THE L.S.E. AND F. FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Sir, -- That something must be done to place the Pension Fund of he above in a sound financial position is evident to all the members, but how to do it with the two fold object of retaining the old members, very many of whom are threatening secession from the Society, if some of the schemes put forward by some branches are adopted, and also to make it popular with the young members of the railway service who are not yet in the Society, has received the serious attention of the members. Mr. Wray's scheme, though devised with the best of intentions, and at first received with a certain amount of favour by some, now seems to be generally recognised as defective. This is not to be wondered at, seeing the old members, and the young ones, too, as they become old ones, would have to bear the whole of the tax required to meet the increased burden on the fund by the eye sight test, and other causes of incapacitation of enginemen and firemen. Of the propositions put forward by the various branches, it is noteworthy that "dissolution" of the Society has found a place whilst other put forward a remedy in the abolition of the Pension Fund. As it is no secret that the majority joined the Society for the pension, or "incapacitation" benefit, it must be clear that if the latter suggestion were adopted it would simply sink the old ship in time, but it I hardly likely to find favour at the delegate meeting to be held at Manchester on the 21st prox.; better rather it were dissolved. However, there is really no reason why the Society should not be put in a sound, thriving, and satisfactory position, and I believe that can be done by the resolution has been passed by the Child's Hill branch, which will duly be presented at Manchester. Even Mr. Wray is said to be in favour of this scheme, and this, in view of all the trouble he has taken to formulate his own, speaks volumes in his favour. As to the propositions of many of the branches for amalgamation with the "Associated." I fear they are both impracticable and illogical, as one is simply a sick benefit society, and the other a trade union, although I would the union of the two were possible, or, to say the least, feasible. No, sir, the old ship will yet sail safely into port, especially if the Child's Hill scheme is adopted, and this is more apparent by the fact that cleaners can now join for half benefits by a corresponding scale of contributions, which opportunity they will the more readily accept if they see the channel clear, and navigate for all. In the event of however, insurmountable complications presenting themselves at the forthcoming delegate meeting a plebiscite is spoken of, to better enable the members to come to a firm and irrevocable decision.

PRACTICAL
Child's Hill, N.W., May 15th, 1898   




THE RAILWAY HERALD

10TH SEPTEMBER 1898

THE L.S.E. AND F. FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Sir, -- In 1897 the New Sheldon Branch of this Society seceded; was it a credit to them? Seeing that in 1896 they had an average worth of £15 6s. per member, and at the same time knowing Doncaster Branch to be worth only 2s 5 1/4d. per member. have they forgotten the sole promise the Society wishes new members to make viz., "I also engage when need requires, and to the best of my abilities to assist a brother in distress," and at the conclusion it is said, "I again solemn promise all this, and must considered infamous if I act otherwise." Have they asked the consent of those 13 members who transferred to other Branches since 1891 whether they were agreed to the Branch seceding? If not, perhaps it would be well to have consulted General Rule 57. Perhaps the 11 members who transferred in 1892 did so to establish a new Branch of the Society; did New Sheldon ignore them? According to the statement made air the last delegate meeting of the Society they have received £1,249 more from the General funds than they had contributed to they. I have seen a voting paper issued by the Rugby Branch on the question of seceding; I wish to remind the members of that Branch that in 1897, they showed 48 members over 50 years of age -- this is out of a total of 159 members; at the same time they show an average worth per member of over £14. I look upon the seceding Branches as a lot of sheep following each other through a gap in the hedge. I ask, would they have seceded if they were worth £2 per member? I doubt poor Doncaster won't issue any voting papers on the subject. Look at the two pictures, one Branch with 2s. 5 1/4d. perimeter, the other two with over £14 per member. I am a member of the A.S.R.S. myself and I feel disgusted at the actions of those seceding Branches, and if I knew there were sufficient members in those \branches belong to the A.S.R.S who by their votes could have stopped secession, I would out have my name mixed with such a body of men, for I have been under the impression that "All men are brethren," but I think we may say, "selfish" brethren after this business. -- Hoping some the can convince me to the contrary.

ONE INTERESTED
Hasland, Septembr 4th, 1898




THE RAILWAY HERALD

12TH NOVEMBER 1898

THE L.S.E. AND F. FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Sir, -- I should like to see in the columns of the "Herald" an expression of opinion as to what course the members who are in a majority will take in regard to the question of amalgamation with the A.S.L.E. and F., that they have voted on, for I feel sure that if proper interest had been taken by every member, and all had voted, the matter would have been more satisfactory than it is at present left.

ANXIOUS
Birkenhead, November 7th, 1898




THE RAILWAY REVIEW

26TH NOVEMBER 1898

THE L.S.E. AND F. FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Sir, -- In last week's issue of your admirable "Herald" a writer asks what the members of the A.S.L.E. and F. are doing in the matter of amalgamation with the L.E. and F.F. Society? Will you allow me to state that the subject has not officially come before us, but the members of the old Society have out voted the steps necessary or its joint discussion? They have lightly taken the step with no thought of the large number of pensioned members who should have had their commiserations, thus in the end leaving them to tread the path of disaster alone. With its falling finance and decreasing numbers the old Society must soon terminate its existence. When its history is written it will only too plain be seen that the incapacity and dwarfed energies of its leaders were only exceeded by their callous indifference to the interests of its aged members, whom it should have been their duty to protect.

BRANCH SECRETARY
Newton Abbot, November 17th, 1898





THE RAILWAY REVIEW

24TH DECEMBER 1898

THE L.S.E. AND F. FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Sir, -- The above society seems to be drifting from bad to worse, without any sensible efforts being made to check the downward rush, that must finally end in disaster and extinction. it is sad to reflect that are thus gliding to that dead end, so graphically portrayed in your columns some time ago, in reference to our financial position, without any attempts being made to put on the brake. I may, however, say an effort has been made, but the handle has been turned the wrong way, and with a stubbornness worthy of a better cause those who have been deputed to act as "brakemen" aver, despite proof to the contrary, that they have done, and are doing, their duty in a practical and business like manner. The trouble directly springs from the inability to meet and sustain the financial strain on the pension fund. Various schemes have been as a remedy and as it was eventually considered that "federation" with the Associated would tend to economy in management expenses, the vote of the members on the question was taken. The majority required was five sixths, and the votes in favour of federation failed by some eight hundred. The result appears to have so disgusted many of the branches that already some twenty of them have practically receded from the parent society, taking their funds with them. The remaining branches are also chagrined at the state of affairs which is only natural, seeing most of the secessionist are the richest branches, and are simply looking at one another in a bewildered, impassive, wonder what will happen sort of way, that is really ludicrous, were it not a serious matter. Various agencies have long and silently been operating to cause the present state of affairs, and will, if not checked, ultimately ruin the society, the chief of which is undoubtedly the "expenses of management," which, viewing the society numerically, are necessarily high. Wray's (King's Cross) scheme has, again accelerated the down hill tendency very considerably.

PRACTICAL

Child's Hill, N.W., December 18th 1898.   

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